In this session, researcher and digital mental health expert Soumya Choudhary, MSc, PhD explores the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing digital mental health tools in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Focusing on the widening treatment gap in regions like India, she introduces the "Digital Clinic Model." This model integrates digital phenotyping, smartphone-based assessments, and the role of "Digital Navigators" to scale care for individuals with schizophrenia. Soumya highlights the importance of culturally grounded design and safety frameworks in resource-constrained environments.

About Soumya Choudhary:

Soumya Choudhary is a dedicated researcher and digital mental health expert currently pursuing a PhD in Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. She is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Division of Digital Psychiatry, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School. Soumya holds a Master's degree in Mental Health: Research and Practice from the University of Nottingham, where she specialized in clinical psychology, neuropsychiatry and artificial intelligence. At NIMHANS, Soumya has been involved in Wellcome Trust-funded projects such as the SHARP study, focusing on smartphone-based assessments and relapse prevention in psychosis. Her research integrates advanced data analysis techniques and app-based interventions to enhance mental health care. Soumya has also published extensively in the field of digital mental health, with works exploring digital interventions, machine learning applications in mental health, and relapse prediction in schizophrenia. Soumya is passionate about scaling digital mental health solutions globally, with a focus on low and middle income countries.

About the 2025 Society of Digital Psychiatry Symposium:

The 2025 Society of Digital Psychiatry Symposium is an event focused on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and mental healthcare. With this year’s theme, "Advancing Digital Mental Health Through AI," the symposium provides a unique platform for thought leaders and innovators to explore the latest AI advancements reshaping the mental health landscape.